MLB Player News

Jansen (finger) will begin a rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Buffalo.

Jansen has been out of action since breaking his hand in early June, but he has recovered and is ready to get back behind the plate.

Heim isn't in the lineup Monday against Baltimore.

Heim recorded hits in each of the last three games and went 5-for-12 with two solo home runs and three strikeouts during that time. Meibrys Viloria is starting behind the plate and batting ninth Monday.

Heim went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 4-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday.

Heim went yard off Carlos Carrasco in the third. It marked his second long ball in as many contests and gives the 27-year-old catcher 12 home runs on the year. His previous season-best total was 10 over 265 at-bats last season. The Rangers are likely satisfied with a .492 slugging percentage coming from their primary catcher spot, and Heim should continue to see regular at-bats.

Zavala went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 13-4 win over the Giants.

Each of Zavala's three hits knocked in Leury Garcia as the White Sox got production from the bottom-third of the order. This was Zavala's fifth multi-hit effort of the year, and his second career game of three or more hits. The 28-year-old catcher is slashing a solid .313/.333/.500 with one home run, 11 RBI, six runs scored and six doubles through 16 contests. That strong hitting has allowed Zavala to split playing time with Reese McGuire lately while Yasmani Grandal (back) is still on the injured list with no clear timeline to return.

McGuire is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

McGuire will take a seat for the second game in a row while Seby Zavala gets another turn behind the dish. The two backstops may end up splitting starting opportunities in relatively even fashion until Yasmani Grandal (back) comes off the injured list.

Jeffers (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Jeffers remains on the bench for the second game in a row due to a right thumb contusion, but he's shown improvement from Saturday and will be available off the bench for the series finale, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Expect Jeffers to make his return to the lineup behind the plate at some point during the Twins' three-game series with the White Sox that begins Monday.

Maile is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Maile was behind the plate for the second game of Saturday's twin bill, so he'll get a breather due to the quick turnaround for Sunday's series finale, which begins at 1:40 p.m. ET. Sandy Leon will catch for starting pitcher Triston McKenzie on Sunday, and the two backstops should continue to split work until Austin Hedges (concussion) returns from the 7-day injured list.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After starting behind the plate and going 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in the Rays' 11-5 win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Mejia will get a breather due to the quick turnaround for Sunday's contest. Rene Pinto relieves Mejia behind the dish.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Kirk has played a lot through the first three months of the season, and while a fair amount of that has been as the designated hitter, he needs a day off his feet every now and then. The 23-year-old is in the midst of a breakout and is looking like one of the best pure hitters in baseball -- not just at the catcher position -- with a .318/.409/.512 line through 69 games.

Garver is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Brad Miller will get a turn as the designated hitter against right-hander Carlos Carrasco. Garver is batting .250/.357/.417 with one home run in eight games since his return from the COVID-19-related injured list. He remains limited to DH duty due to a forearm injury that will eventually require surgery.